Locking device for the sliding members of an extensible frame



Dec. 2, 1952 FIG.|

D. A. EBERHARDT LOCKING DEVICE FOR THE SLIDING MEMBERS OF AN EXTENSIBLE FRAME Filed Dec. 18, 1947 INVENTOR DANIEL A. EBERHARDW AT TORNEY Patented Dec. 2, 1952 LOCKING DEVICE FOR THE SLIDING MEM- BERS OF AN EXTENSIBLE FRAME Daniel A. Eberhardt, St. Louis, Mo.

Application December 18, 1947, Serial No. 792,398 2 4 Claims. (Cl. 287-48) This invention relates to an improved clamp or lock for securing the extendible members of an extensible frame, such as a trouser creaser, in selected position.

More specifically, the invention pertains to an improvement to the device disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,294,967 for Adjustable Rod Joint, issued September 8, 1942 to Daniel A. Eberhardt. The improvement resides, in part, in the provision of a clamp which while permitting the free movement of the members outwardly to an extended position, automatically operates to prevent their movement i-nwardly to a closed or contracted position. In the patented device the clamp or lock is operative, when in its clamping position, to secure the adjustable section of the frame against movement in both directions.

It is an object of the invention to provide a clamp or look of the character described which is economical to manufacture, and which is eflicient in service and lasting in wear.

Other objects and advantages will become ap parent as the specification proceeds and a more comprehensive understanding of the invention will be afforded from the following detailed description when considered .in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a trouser creaser embodying the instant invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a, clamp or locking device embodying the instant invention and showing the parts thereof,

Figs. 3 and 4 are plan views of the clamp shown in Fig. 2, showing, respectively, the relationship of the parts in clampin position and released position, and

Figs. 5 and 6 are plan views of the clamp shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the same in modified forms.

For the purpose of disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention, the same has been shown and now will be described in connection with its use as a part of a trouser creaser. With reference to Fig. 1, this device takes the form of an extensible frame, which is well known in the art. Here, two thin strips II and 12, of material such as steel, are formed, respectively, with top arms l3 and I4 and bottom arms l5 and [6. The arms of the creaser may be associated with each other in one of several ways, one of which will be described for the top arms of the device, only. As shown in Fig. 3, the arm l4 has fixed to its end a sleeve 11 in which the arm 13 is free to slide. Similarly, a sleeve 18 (Fig. 1) is attached to the end of the arm I3 in which sleeve the arm I4 is free to slide. With this arrangement of the parts, the arms are held together closely and are free to move relative to each other. A clamp or locking device 19 is positioned with respect to each of the arms 13 and I4 to hold them against relative movement in selected positions. In a similar manner, the bottom arms 15 and 16 are held together by two sleeves 2| and 22 and are provided with a clamp or lock 23 which is identical with theclamp 19.

Thus, the trouser creaser is provided with top and bottom elements which are extendible to move the strips H and 12 in the leg of the trouser to stretch and crease the same. For this particular type of extensible frame, it is not required that the arms of the device be locked against outward movement. On the contrary it is desirable that they be free to move to extend the frame and that they be locked against inward or contracting movement, only, at any extended position, within the limit of their movement, to which they are urged. The clamps or locks l9 and 23 of the structure just described, which perform this required function and which form the subject matter of the instant invention, are

identical and only one will be described in its preferred and modified forms.

Referring to the clamp [9, as viewed in Fig. 2, the same comprises a key 24 in which a slot 25 is made to receive the arm 13. The slot 25 isslightly larger than the arm 13 and the key 24 is thus free to rock on the arm l3 as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 3 and 4. The arm I4 is made with a. bowed section 26 which, together with the arm l3, forms a frame for the clamp or lock, a leaf spring 21 and portion of the key 24 being positioned therein. A pin portion 28 (Fig. 3) of the key 24 is passed into a hole 29 in the spring 21 to loosely connect these elements so that the key may be rocked about the arm 13 as aforesaid.

The spring 21 is mounted on. the arm [4 as illustrated and urges the key 24 into its normal position as shown in full lines in Fig. 3. In this position the arms l3 and I4 are free to move outwardly, but the walls of the slot 25, being at an angle with the faces of the arm [3, present sharp edges which engage the latter and prevent inward relative movement of the arms.

When the key 24 is moved to the position it occupies in Fig. 4, the walls of the slot 25 are substantially parallel with the faces of the arm l3 and the latter is free to move in either direction in the key. To hold the key in its releasing position requires the continuous application of force. When this force is removed the spring 2'! acts to bias the key to its locking position.

In one of its modifications, the locking device takes the form illustrated in Fig. 5. Here, the arms I3 and M, the sleeve I1, and the key 24 are the same as for the previous embodiment. The arm 14, however, is formed with a bowed section 3| which is different from that (26) of the previous embodiment. Further, a hole 32 is made in the arm l4 itself to receive the pin portion 28 of the key 24. The operation of this particular form of the locking device is the same as that just described.

For the modification illustrated in Fig. 6, the distinguishing feature resides in a difierently shaped key 33, the arms l3 and I4, the sleeve H, the bowed section 26 and spring 2'! being the same as shown in Figs. 2-4. In this case the key 33 is slotted at 25 to receive the arm [3 and has a pin portion 28 which passes into a hole 29 in the spring 21 just as previously described. However, the key, rather than being straight, is bent to form a thumb tab 34 which lies substantially parallel to the arm l3. Release of the clamp, its operations, etc., are all the same as for that of the modification illustrated in Figs. 2-4.

Various changes may be mad in the details of construction, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention. Parts of the invention may be used without the whole and improvements may be added while retaining some or all of the advantages of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clamp for locking two slidable arms comprising rods of substantially constant cross section which are held together in substantially parallel abutting relationship one with the other, a key having an openin therein through which a first of said arms is passed, said opening being dimensioned proportionately to the dimensions of said first arm but larger in area than the crosssectional area of said first arm, a bowed section formed in the second of said arms, and means for pivotally supporting said key from said bowed section of said second arm, said means applying a force directly to said key to rock the same about said first arm into a normal locking position.

2. In a clamp for locking two slidable arms parallel abutting relationship one with the other, a key having an opening therein through which a first of said arms is passed, said opening being dimensioned proportionately to the dimensions of said first arm but larger in area than the crosssectional area of the first arm, a bowed section formed in the second of said arms, and means for pivotally connecting said key to said second arm at a point falling on said bowed section thereof, said means applying a force directly to said key to rock the same about said first arm into a normal locking position.

3. In an extensible frame having a pair of rods with means for holding the rods substantially contiguous to each other and slidable one with respect to the other, the improvement comprising clamping means including a bowed section in one of said rods providing a recess adjacent the near face of the other rod, a key having an orifice through which said other rod passes and an end portion having a pivot thereon extending into said recess, and a socket in the first mentioned rod for receiving said pivot whereby said clamping means exerts a force acting directly on said key.

4. In an extensible frame of the character described having relatively adjustable arms, means on each of said arms embracing the other whereby said arms are secured together in parallel relation but relatively slidable endwise, the portion of one of said arms between said securing means being bowed outward from the other and having means providing a pin socket, a key having an opening therein through which said other arm passes and a pin portion seated in said socket, and said bowed portion exerting a force directly on said key, whereby relative movement of said arms in one direction causes rocking of said key to clamp said other arm against further movement.

DANIEL A. EBERHARDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 836,303 Christensen Nov. 20, 1906 2,051,969 Shastock Aug. 25, 1936 2,294,967 Eberhardt Sept. 8, 1942 2,461,381 Henderson Feb. 8, 1949 

